The Legatum Institute published its 2016 Prosperity Index; this study evaluates 149 countries based on several variables such as the per capita GDP, the wellbeing of the population and even the internet access. The Index ranks nations over nine areas: Economic Quality, Business Environment, Governance, Education, Health, Safety and Security, Personal Freedom, Social Capital and Natural Environment.

Costa Rica took the second position in the Latin America ranking, only surpassed by Uruguay, the third position went to Chile, followed by Panama and Argentina.

Globally, it was New Zealand that took the first position, followed by Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Canada. Costa Rica is in position 29 in the global ranking.

Yemen, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Sudan and Congo held the last positions in the ranking.

In the overview given to Costa Rica it states: “Costa Rica has achieved the largest improvement in Business Environment in the region, as well as one of the highest export qualities and among the most competitive regulatory environment. It would seem that the country is well placed to challenge its much larger South American counterparts. However, these improvements mask a relative static, and in some cases, worsening prosperity profile in the country that make future prosperity harder to achieve”.

Costa Rica scores best in the area of Personal Freedom and Governance and lowest on the Safety & Security sub-index (67); Economic Quality (62) and Education (51).